Unlock New Challenges with NYT Connections for October 21

The New York Times has released its latest edition of the popular word game, NYT Connections, for October 21, 2023. This puzzle, designated as game #863, invites players to group words into categories based on shared themes, providing both a mental workout and a fun challenge.

Each day, the NYT Connections puzzle becomes available at midnight in local time zones, allowing players around the world to engage with the game at their convenience. For those who missed the previous day’s challenge, game #862 from October 20 is also accessible.

Today’s Puzzle Overview

The words featured in today’s puzzle include a mix of categories that players must identify. The main words presented for game #863 include:

– BUCKS
– DOES
– BULLS
– DRONES
– QUEENS
– HORNETS
– ADDRESSES
– TELEVISIONS
– GARAGE DOORS
– HANDLES
– KINGS
– JACKS
– SPURS
– ACES
– STACKLES
– WIIS

To assist players, clues for the categories have been provided. The four groups are:

– **Yellow**: Leaders of the pack
– **Green**: Getting involved
– **Blue**: Basketball sides
– **Purple**: Use the zapper

Players who prefer a more direct approach can skip ahead to the answers, which will be revealed later in the article.

Insights and Strategy

NYT Connections not only tests vocabulary but also challenges players to think critically about word relationships. Each category is designed with varying levels of difficulty, which can lead to mistakes if players are not cautious. For example, one player noted making three errors while attempting to categorize basketball teams, mistakenly including KINGS and ACES, which did not fit the criteria.

The game allows participants to make up to four mistakes, offering a level of leniency that can be beneficial, especially when navigating tricky categories. Players are encouraged to focus on the easier groups first, as this can simplify the process of elimination for the more difficult categories.

In addition to NYT Connections, the New York Times offers a variety of other word games, including Wordle and Quordle, which can offer additional entertainment and challenge for word enthusiasts.

For those interested in the previous day’s puzzle, the answers for game #862 from October 20 include:

– **Yellow**: AFFLICTION: BUGBEAR, COMPLEX, DEMON, HANG-UP
– **Green**: REPRESENTED BY CONSTELLATIONS: BIG BEAR, CENTAUR, HUNTER, LYRE
– **Blue**: PERIODIC TABLE SYMBOLS: AS, BE, I, K
– **Purple**: ____CORN: A, CAPRI, POP, UNI

NYT Connections is available for free on the NYT Games site, both on desktop and mobile platforms. This accessibility ensures that players can engage with the game anytime, making it a delightful addition to their daily routine.

Whether you are a seasoned player or new to NYT Connections, each puzzle offers a fresh opportunity to challenge your word knowledge and cognitive skills. As the game evolves, so do the strategies and insights that players develop to maximize their success.